Quaddus primed for Couzens assault

The Swindon-based light-heavyweight fights the former foe of Kelvin Young at the Hermitage Leisure Centre in Whitlock, Leicestershire, next weekend.

And Quaddus, who is fighting for his first title, knows exactly what to expect from man the opposite corner.

“He is really game - it is going to be my hardest fight,” Quaddus said. “He is a come forward fighter and throws punches in bunches.

“I know what he is going to bring to the table but I’m not going to worry about it too much.

“I’m not going to fight fire with fire straight away. I’m going to use my boxing brain and then pick him off.”

The 24-year-old, who made his return to the ring in March after five-and-a-half years away from the sport, has been sparring with Chris Eubank Jr in preparation for this bout.

And with Eubank Jr facing Billy Joe Saunders this evening for the British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles, Quaddus believes what he has experienced in training will be too much for Couzens.

“I know the fight is not going to be as hard as those sparring sessions because he (Couzens) isn’t as good as Chris Eubank,” he said.

“He doesn’t throw as many punches. He is not going to be as fast as him and he is not going to be as technical.”

The Richard Farnan-trained southpaw has been living in Swindon for the past two years, having moved here from his hometown of Peterborough.

And while Quaddus, who will be in his sixth fight of the year, returns home each weekend to be with his young family, he hopes that next Sunday will make the sacrifices he makes worthwhile.

He said: “It is hard. But when you see the progress and you’re winning your fights and you’re improving rapidly and getting decent sparring in, then it is worth it.

“I have got a real busy schedule. I’m up at half six to go for my run and then in the gym at half seven or doing sprints.

“I’m at work at 9 o’clock-half and then back in the gym at half six - it is a long day.”